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Tillandsia ionantha Planch.
| Family Name: | Bromeliaceae |
| Common Name: | Blushing Bride Airplant, Blushing Bride |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico to Central America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Highland / Montane |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small airplant with stemless rosettes to 10cm in height, forming dense clumps where growing conditions are ideal. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves thick, narrowly triangular to 6cm in length, with silvery gray - white trichomes on the surface. Innermost leaves (nearest to the centre of the rosette) turning bright red when plants begin to flower. The change in color of the innermost leaves is thought to allow the plant to attract its bird pollinators more effectively. |
| Flowers | Flowers tubular, to 4cm in length, protruding from centre of rosette. Stamens and pistil held above petals. In its native habitat, this species is pollinated by hummingbirds. Locally, it is visited by sunbirds. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | T ionantha is a variable species with a number of recognized varieties as well as many cultivars, all of which are sought after by air plant enthusiasts. |
| Habitat | Epiphytic in tropical dry forests, scrub, charappal or along riversides, or lithophytic and on rocks or limestone cliffs. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Skyrise / Balcony, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade, [Remarks] (While it is able to tolerate full sun, very light shading (10-20% shade) is recommended for this species. Plants grown under more than 50% shade may not flower.) |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting, [Remarks] (Spray or mist the plants lightly once every 3-4 days; do not allow water to collect in the leaf bases as this will cause the plants to rot. Good ventilation is a must.) |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Fertilizing | Feed with dilute liquid fertilizer fortnightly |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Can be propagated via 'pups' or offsets that is formed at the basal leaves of the rosette after flowering |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Red, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Scaly |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31353 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5750 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
